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Low levels of contamination in Woods Cross wells

Posted at 7:23 PM, Jan 22, 2013
and last updated 2013-01-22 21:24:13-05

WOODS CROSS CITY, Utah — Four out of five wells in the Woods Cross area are contaminated with low levels of a solvent called PCE, which can cause cancer, although the EPA deems the current levels of PCE in the water as safe.

PCE, or tetrachloroethylene, is a solvent often used by dry cleaners.

Gary Uresk, Woods Cross City administrator, said the city is seeking the public’s input to determine whether or not they want to pay to have the carcinogen removed, as at current levels it is not deemed dangerous.

“Really the issue is that the EPA limit is five parts per billion, and none of the hits in any of the wells that we’ve got right now exceed that amount,” he said.

Uresk said this is an issue the city has been dealing with for about 10 years. He said currently the one uncontaminated well provides enough clean water for the area.

“Our well provides sufficient water for our residents, so it’s not an issue of running out of water but if that well becomes contaminated then we have to deal with the issue of PCE in the water,” He said.

Uresk said they will be sending out notices to their constituents to solicit their feedback on the issue as it develops.

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